What to see in Waterford City? Monuments

Monuments:

1.                 S.S. Formy and S.S. Coningbeg Memorial Monument. The S.S. Formy and S.S. Coningbeg failed to return to Waterford in December 1917 following a routine voyage to Liverpool. Both steamers from the Clyde Shipping Company were torpedoed by a German U-Boat U61 off the Wicklow coast. 83 people lost their lives.

2.                 Equestrian statue of Thomas Francis Meagher. T.F. Meagher was a leader of the Young Ireland movement in the Rebellion of 1848, who was born . Following the rebellion Thomas F. Meagher was transported to Van Diemen's Land, which he escaped in 1852 and ended up in New York, USA.  In USA Thomas Francis Meagher joined American Army in the Civil War and rose to the rank of Brigadier General, later Thomas Francis Meagher became Acting Governor of Montana Territory

to be continued....

What to see in Waterford City? Museums

Museums: There are three museums in the city that are located on the Viking site and form a well known Waterford Viking Triangle.

1.                Reginald’s Tower. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland. The tower was originally built by the Viking out of wood; however Anglo-Normans rebuild the tower out of the stone. The Reginald’s Tower gets its name form Irish-Viking ruler of the city, Ragnall MacGillemaire. The tower was used as a mint, prison and military store. It hosts collection of Viking and Historic artefacts such as Kite Brooch 1090 c finest example of 12^th century metal work in Ireland, made of gold, silver and glass. The Reginald’s Tower is open 7 days per week between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.

2.                Waterford Medieval Museum. It is new, purpose built museum which was opened in 2012 and hosts Waterford’s remarkable collection of medieval artefacts, such as the medieval Gold Waterford Vestments which were found during the demolition of the old Cathedral in 1773. The Medieval Museum is open 9 am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

3.                Bishop’s Palace. The fine example of Georgian building records Waterford’s history from 1700 to 1970. The building was desined in 1741 by the Anglo-German architect Richard Cassels and John Roberts who completed the work. The Palace hosts the only remaining of 12 gold mouring crosses commissioned by Napoleon’s mother on his death in 1821 and Penrose Decanter (1780’s) the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal in the world. The Bishop’s Place worth a visit especially when real life characters bring to life Waterford’s history in the imaginative tours. The Bishop’s Palace is open 7 days per week 9am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Day 1 of my experience as a Welcome Ambassador of Waterford Viking Triangle

Today was my first day as a Welcome Ambassador of Waterford Viking Triangle and I was very excited and scared at the same time, even though we were trained on what to do I was still worrying if I would not be able to perform on my best. I guess everyone experience worries on the first day of work.

Anyway we had great news, "Celebrity Infinity" vessel, with 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew arrived to Dunmore East, County Waterford and the City was meant to be full of tourists. And guess...it was!!!

The tourists started arriving to the city by coaches at around 10 in the morning, even though we were already on the streets at 9 am. We were also blessed with the weather, it was sunny day with no cloud on the sky.

The tourists were told that there Welcome Ambassadors of Waterford Viking Triangle will be on the street and would assist with any queries, directions etc if such arise.

To be honest, I lost count of the amount of tourists I personally helped in one or other way; the tourists were English-, Spanish-, French speaking and were happy enough to talk to us not only about the attractions but on other subjects as well.

Wearing bright purple polo-shirts with bright yellow lanyards gave us a high visibility and recognition however some tourists were probably thought that we were selling something ( because of the lanyards) and refused our help. So for the next day I'm planing on  introducing myself properly, I mean, telling tourists who I am and only then offer the tourists some help.

Did you know? 15 Interesting Facts about Waterford City

1. Waterford city is the oldest city in Ireland

2. The Quay of Waterford City is also known as 'the Noblest Quay in Europe'

3. Waterford City has the longest bridge in Ireland

4. Bishop's palace displays the only surviving Bonaparte 'mourning cross', which was one of 12 produced upon Napoleon Bonaparte's death in 1821

5. Bishop's Palace also holds the Penrose Decanter, the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal, which dates back to 1789

6. Reginald's Tower is the oldest civic urban building in Ireland

7. Reginald's Tower is the only monument in Ireland named in honor of viking Regnall, grandson of Ivor the Boneless

8. The Irish flag was displayed for the first time on 7th of March 1848 on 33 the Mall

9. Thomas Francis Maegher, a Waterford born man, is an Irish Patriot and American Civil War Hero, Major of Montana designed the current Irish Flag

10. Waterford City is the only city in Europe where  the Protestant and Catholic Cathedrals were designed and built by the same architect-John Roberts

11. River Suir is the fastest flowing river in Europe

12. The Roman Catholic Cathedral is the oldest in Ireland

13. The tomb of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice, the founder of  the Christian and Presentation Brothers, is located in Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Waterford City

14.William Vincent Wallance, an opera composer and organist was born in Waterford City.

15.  Waterford City's new Cable Stayed Bridge is the longest bridge in Ireland.